The Loire

A Cultural History

Martin Garrett

The Loire

A Cultural History

Martin Garrett

Description

Gustave Flaubert called the Loire "the most French of French rivers." It is the longest river in France and the most varied in scenery and moods. Beginning as a mountain stream in the Ardèche, it issues, 630 miles later, into the Atlantic beyond the great modern port of St.-Nazaire. Small and rapid at first, the Loire runs through dark volcanic hills; further downstream it becomes the broad, slower river of sandy islands, poplars, and châteaux and of the vibrant cities of Orléans, Blois, Tours, and Nantes (the former capital of Brittany). It is lined with vineyards, forests, medieval fortresses, and flamboyant Renaissance palaces. It is fed by countless tributaries, from rivulets to mighty rivers like the Allier, Cher, and Vienne, each with their own remarkable sights.

Martin Garrett follows the Loire's course through cities and countryside, tracing its dramatic history from the days of feuding warlords and barons to the battles of 1940. Looking at the wide range of literature, art, and architecture created along its banks, he considers works from Du Bellay and Balzac to Virginia Woolf, from Renaissance palace builders to Le Corbusier.

The Loire

A Cultural History

Martin Garrett

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Most French of French RiversCh 1: Struggling with the Rocks: From the Source to RoanneCh 2: The Green Provinces: From Digoin to SancerreCh 3: Corn and Combat: From Briare to the BeauceCh 4: "Many Fair Noblemen's Houses": From the Sologne to Chaumont-sur-LoireCh 5: Chateaux in Touraine: From Amboise to VouvrayCh 6: Balzac's Loire: From Tours to LangeaisCh 7: Giants and Princes: From Usse to MontsoreauCh 8: Sand, Tufa and Slate: From Saumur to Mauves-sur-LoireCh 9: Loire Maritime: From Nantes to the AtlanticFurther Reading Index of Literary and Historical NamesIndex of Places and Landmarks